G-7 WORRIES OVER CHINA AND RUSSIA
TOKYO — This week’s summit of the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy democracies in Hiroshima will include eight other guest nations, part of a complicated, high-stakes diplomatic gambit meant to settle the world’s most serious crises.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has invited South Korea, Australia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Comoros and the Cook Islands.
Kishida hopes this mix of countries will help efforts to stand up to China’s assertiveness and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, create stronger ties with the US allies and with developing nations to make progress on working toward a nuclear-free world.
Here’s a look at what to expect as the rich world leaders welcome these guest countries:
Pushback on China, Russia
Leaders of the G-7 nations aim to unite against Chinese threats to Taiwan and Russia’s war on Ukraine, following their diplomats’ meeting in Japan.
The guest nations, including India, have complex ties with China and Russia. India, part of the Quad group, has faced accusations from China and has abstained from voting on resolutions against Russia.
Brazil, a member of the Brics group, has strengthened ties with China and expressed a controversial stance on the Ukraine war.
Japan is also seeking alliances with Vietnam due to shared territorial disputes with China.
‘Global South’ nations
Kishida has said his list of guest nations reflects the importance of the so-called “Global South” countries. That’s a term used for developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The G-7 nations account for about 40 percent of the world’s economic activity, a decrease from an estimated 80 percent of global gross domestic product in the 1970s.
“When the UN (United Nations) adopts resolutions, you see a considerable number of its 190 or so member states are ‘Global South’ countries,” said Choi Eunmi, a Japan expert at South Korea’s Asan Institute Policy Institute.
Indonesia’s importance for Japan, for instance, is linked to its abundant natural resources and economic potential, said Kim, the expert.
India is this year’s president of the G-20, which is seen as a crucial bridge between G-7 economies and the Global South. Japan has traditionally had close ties with India, where Kishida visited in March for a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In response to questions by The Associated Press, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the G-7 and other nations need to cooperate with the Global South to deal with energy, food security, climate change, health and development issues.
US allies
The guest nations chosen by Kishida for the G-7 summit represent the importance of developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, known as the “Global South.”
Although the G-7 nations now account for around 40 percent of global economic activity, their share has decreased from about 80 percent in the 1970s.
The UN sees significant representation from Global South countries in its member states.
Cooperation with the Global South is essential for addressing various global challenges such as energy, food security, climate change, health and development.
Other issues
Several guest nations hold leadership positions in regional and international organizations.
Brazil will assume the presidency of the G-20 next year, while Indonesia chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Comoros leads the African Union, and the Cook Islands chair the Pacific Islands Forum.
Japan is strengthening its ties with Pacific Forum countries to counter Chinese influence.
Inviting the Cook Islands reflects Japanese respect for the Pacific nations and concerns over the release of radioactive wastewater from Fukushima.
Hosting the summit in Hiroshima allows Kishida to emphasize his commitment to a nuclear-free world, particularly relevant due to North Korea’s nuclear threats.